Sliding door light goes on even when door is closed

[Harry Balzonyah]

My sliding door light will go on when i am moving, but not stationary. For example, if I am going over a bumpy road the door ajar light will come off and on as well as the light for the sliding door. Any suggestions?

[mararmeisto]

There are TWO doors that activate the rear cabin light: the sliding side door and the rear gate.

First: check that the side door is closing properly. Is it actually making the last movement which is inward towards the frame (the rear part of the door makes this movement)? This is part of the locking-the-door-in-place for crash safety reasons and if I remember correctly, the door-ajar button is on the rear-end of the door frame, which means if the door is not moving inward that button is not being depressed properly. If this is the problem, I would suggest an adjustment of the rear slider arm (which is in the middle of the door) - maybe the bolts have come loose.

Second: check the rear gate to ensure it has shut properly. The volume of air inside the van and the seal that is acheived with all the windows shut is actually quite impressive. What this means to the rear gate is that as you shut it, there can sometimes be enough back pressure to prevent the rear gate from completely latching - the door will be shut and held in place, but only by the first part of the latching mechanism (it's a two-part or two-position latch, again for crash safety reasons).

The second one is usually what happens to my van - the side door is shut, but the rear gate has not been shut properly. Don't notice it on the smooth-and-level, but go around a corner or over a bit of a bump and the rear light flickers on or off.

Question: is the door ajar indicator on the dash lighting? Watch for that to flicker when the rear light does. That's a secondary indication that one of the doors is not completely closed.

[Jester]

I'd start by cleaning the contacts on both sides, just use a little bit of sand paper or a small wire brush.
If that doesn't do it, the spring on the door side contact may be worn out.

[Delicanadabc]

Hello

I had the same issue and it was due to the rear gate not shutting close tightly.

Good luck and let us know what you get,
Daniel Jensen

[Harry Balzonyah]

Thanks to everyone who replied. The problem was in the back and not the sliding door. You saved me alot of time.

Most appreciated.